Formula One season to start in Melbourne after Bahrain opener cancelled

The season-opening Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, due to be staged on March 13, was cancelled due to the deadly political unrest in the Gulf state.

The widely-anticipated move was confirmed in an official statement shortly after reports emerged that F1 teams had decided not to go ahead with a scheduled testing session at the circuit next week.

The 2011 season will now get underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 27.

Bahrain Crown Prince HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa said: "At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain.

Advertisement

"Although (F1 rights holder) Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear that a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula 1 race to a later date."

No date has been set for a possible rescheduling of the Bahrain race, which was first held in 2004 when Michael Schumacher won.

Ecclestone, who has been in constant contact with organisers over the race's fate, gave his reaction.

"It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country.

"The hospitality and warmth of the people of Bahrain is a hallmark of the race there, as anyone who has been at a Bahrain Grand Prix will testify. We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon."